Congressman Tom Graves Casts "NO" Vote on Democrat-Led DISCLOSE Act

The U.S. House of Representatives today considered H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE Act, and U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA) voted against the Democrat-led measure.

"This bill is just another design of the Democrat majority that discourages organizations from participating freely in political debate, while exempting unions," said Congressman Graves. "I voted ‘NO’ to protect the First Amendment and I was glad to join my Republican colleagues in voting against the legislation to ensure that the 2010 elections will be fair, leaving no loopholes for unions or any other organizations."

House Democrats crafted this bill in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, in which the Supreme Court overturned the prohibition on corporations and unions using treasury funds for independent expenditures supporting or opposing political candidates at any time of the year.

Democrats rammed through passage of the DISCLOSE Act in hopes that the legislation will become law prior to the 2010 election in order to limit the political speech that was protected and encouraged by the Citizens United ruling.

Graves was sworn-in as the newest Representative for Georgia’s 9th District last week. He serves on the House Committees on Homeland Security, as well as Transportation and Infrastructure.